News

Changes at Legal Aid Alberta allows sexual assault complainants faster access to lawyers
Crown can now deal directly with non-profit group to arrange legal counsel without court orders.
Canadian Lawyer Magazine | February 4, 2021

Legal Aid Alberta expands supports for sexual assault complainants
Sexual-assault complainants will have faster access to lawyers following an update to Alberta’s court system aimed at curbing “unnecessary” trial delays and ensuring fairness for victims, says Legal Aid Alberta.
Edmonton Journal | February 3, 2021

Rule change connects Alberta sexual assault complainants to lawyers faster
Prosecutors can now deal directly with Legal Aid Alberta to arrange legal counsel, without court orders.
CBC Calgary | February 3, 2021

Legal Aid Alberta on co-parenting over the holidays
Legal Aid Alberta staff lawyers are urging Albertans who share parenting responsibilities but live separately to put their child’s safety first this holiday season. Legal Aid Alberta family lawyer Jessica Chapman joined Global News Morning to share some insight on what is best for the children.
Global Edmonton | December 23, 2020

How to stay safe while co-parenting amid COVID-19
Jeff Keller from Legal Aid Alberta joins Global News Morning Calgary via Skype to discuss shared parenting strategies for the holidays amid tightened COVID-19 restrictions.
Global Calgary | December 18, 2020

Legal Aid advising parents to be cautious and creative with child custody visits
“This is the time to be creative,” said Jeff Keller, a staff lawyer with Legal Aid Alberta in a news release.
Calgary Herald | December 17, 2020

Lockdowns and their impacts on increased spousal abuse
Bernadette LaBrie, legal services manager with Legal Aid Alberta, says the number of people seeking Emergency Protection Orders from abusive family members has spiked.
Calgary Herald | November 24, 2020

Family violence workshop offered by lawyers
On Nov. 25 Legal Aid Alberta lawyers are looking to take a bite out of family violence by offering a public online event to talk to Albertans about their legal options when someone is in a dangerous domestic situation.
Daily Herald Tribune | November 23, 2020

Legal Aid Alberta adds more staff to deal with increase in family violence
To meet increased demand, Legal Aid Alberta has trained its students-at-law to help provide after-hours support for victims of family abuse. Lawyer Christina Riddoch was on the morning news to talk about what an emergency protection order is, and their upcoming online event that is free to the public.
Global Morning News Edmonton | November 20, 2020

More domestic violence victims seeking emergency protection orders during COVID-19
"COVID has provided so many challenges for so many individuals but we want people to know that you’re not alone," said Legal Aid Senior Advisory Counsel Andrea Doyle.
Calgary Herald | November 3, 2020

Legal Aid is there to help victims of domestic violence
To mark Prevention Against Family Violence Month in November, Legal Aid Alberta is reminding those in need in the Lethbridge region there is help out there through the police and the court system.
Lethbridge Herald | November 3, 2020

Legal Aid finds new efficiencies in downtown space
The Calgary office of Legal Aid Alberta has made the move from two floors at Dominion Centre on 8th Street, S.W., where it has been located since 2001, to a more convenient space in the Fifth and Fifth tower, a whole floor that allows all departments to be on one level.
Calgary Herald | October 22, 2020

Court inconsistent on domestic violence cases during pandemic
Legal Aid staff lawyer Christina Riddoch has seen first-hand the impact of the pandemic on families and safety. She talks to CBC News about a noticeable increase in Emergency Protection Orders.
CBC Edmonton | October 14, 2020

Mental health court showing success two years after its inception
Amna Qureshi, lead of the Legal Aid Alberta mental health court team, said the court has completed more than 8,000 cases in the past two years.
Edmonton Journal | October 8, 2020

Legal Aid extends AADC to the end of November
Pilot project to manage court backlogs deemed a success.
Athabasca Advocate | October 3, 2020

For Canada to truly recover economically, we need new thinking around access to justice
Legal Aid Alberta President and CEO John Panusa says the COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to make tough policy decisions quickly, with multiheaded, Hydra-like consequences for citizens.
Globe and Mail | August 19, 2020

Legal Aid aims to clear court backlog with advanced appearances by phone
Legal Aid Alberta is offering to help Albertans prepare for court remotely, cutting the number of visits people have to make to the courthouse amid COVID-19.
Edmonton Journal | July 31, 2020